October 26, 2005
Akron, Ohio
"The 2,000 service members killed in Iraq supporting
Operation Iraqi Freedom is not a milestone. It is an artificial mark
on the wall set by individuals or groups with specific agendas and
ulterior motives." Lt. Col. Steve Boylan, spokesman for the American-led
multinational force.
About 60 residents from the Akron area joined others
around the country in marking the announcement of the 2000th troop killed
in the Iraq war, calling on congress to bring an end to the occupation.
The insensitive statement by Lt. Col. Steve Boylan (above) was countered
by Akron's very real wall of significance...photos of Ohio
troops killed and 2000 candles marking the lives of every U.S. soldier
who has died in Iraq. In addition, 50 civilian shoes were displayed
with one pair of combat boots to represent the stark reality of number
of civilian deaths in relation to the number of coalition troop casualties.
Read area media coverage of the event:
Article
in the Buchtelite - University of Akron's Newspaper (pdf)
Cleveland
Indy Media Coverage
Article in the Akron Beacon
Journal (pdf)
Photos by Kathy Myrman
Joe Mosyjowsky, AFSC Committee member and
event organizer began the vigil with opening remarks.
Volunteers spent almost an hour lighting
2000 candles
Once the candles were lit, the remembrance
wall was complete...
The vigil ended with a moment of silence
for all the casualties of the Iraq war.
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